I refer to the Editorial published on 10 January. The government is committed to ensure that those in need are given the necessary medication accordingly.
With regrads to cancer, over the past year the government has opened the Breast Screening Centre in Lascaris Wharf to ensure continous screening to women. This project had an initial investment of €1.6 million and has a yearly running cost of over €500,000.
With regards to the medicine Herceptin, this is given to patients who are HER-2 positive, early breast cancer, following surgery, chemotherapy (neo-adjuvant and adjuvant) and radiotherapy are currently entitled for Herceptin 150mg vials. Patients must show strong HER-2 over-expression (3+) to be qualified for the treatment. This drug is prescribed by consultant oncologists.
The following investigations are required prior to starting treatment: HER-2 testing and baseline cardiac functional assessment. During treatment cardiac functional assessments are done every three months.
Over the coming year the government will be launching a National Cancer Strategy, whilst excavation works for the new oncology centre will commence, proving that the government wants to offer the best possible service to cancer patients in Malta.
Mauro Miceli
Communications Coordinator,
Parliamentary Secretariat for Health
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